The world in which we live is shaken and distorted because men and nations have built on false foundations. At this time when matter's claim to power is demanding our attention, "we must look where we would walk, and we must act as possessing all power from Him in whom we have our being" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 264).
Our greatest need is stated by Mrs. Eddy thus (ibid., p. 4): "What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds." This injunction is of primary importance. Note that our Leader has said, "What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace;" and then she proceeds to tell us that this grace which is essential must be "expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds."
Our Leader further emphasizes the importance of grace in her spiritual interpretation of the Lord's Prayer. There, "Give us this day our daily bread," is spiritually interpreted thus: "Give us grace for to-day; feed the famished affections" (ibid., p. 17). Grace is the quality which we daily need, the food which will "feed the famished affections." Webster defines "grace" as "a virtue or moral excellence regarded as coming from God; . . . the graces of self-denial, humility, love."
The second quotation from Science and Health implies that the first indication of the presence of grace is to be found in the practical expression of patience. The dictionary defines a patient person as one who is capable of "exercising or manifesting forbearance or self-control under provocation." It states, interestingly enough, that the patient person is persevering and "free from . . . discontent . . . calm in expectation." Another definition states, "Patience bears the troubles of life, great and small, without grumbling or complaint in looks, manner, or speech."
These definitions imply that the patient individual does not merely ignore, but actually lives above the trials and the provocations that ordinarily call forth complaints, irritation, aggressive self-defense, or self-justification. They further indicate that the patient individual is somehow conscious that the discordant phases of his human experience are not actual, real, or permanent, and that they are unable to affect him and his work if his thinking is of a quality to be above and beyond their power to harm. The true Christian Scientist is such a person. He will be neither subservient to wrong conditions, nor irritated by their presence—whether they claim to exist wholly within his own thinking or claim to dog his footsteps in his relations with his fellows. He is conscious that, in reality, evil has no power to produce pain or irritation, to support injustice, or to threaten failure. Because of this knowledge he is patient under provocation, but perseveres in his confident assertion that man is the child of God—perfect and harmonious. He is expectant that his spiritual vision will dissipate the clouds of evil and reveal man's identity as God's idea, forever superior to irritation or discouragement.
The second quality by which grace is expressed is meekness. We know that our Leader did not refer to that unhappy conception of meekness which suggests submission, lack of spirit, cowardliness, and so forth. She referred to the meekness which is reflected in gentleness and kindliness, and in those qualities of thought which are not vain, haughty, overbearing, or resentful. Since gentleness well interprets the true sense of meekness, this definition may be helpful: One who is gentle is "refined in manners; not harsh or stern; mild; kind; considerate; . . . moderate."
How can the man of God be otherwise than gentle, refined in manner and disposition, kindly, moderate, and peaceful? God expresses Himself through all of these beautiful qualities, and happy is that man who expresses the quality of meekness. Truly, he blesses all those who come within the radius of his thought.
The qualities of patience and meekness are undeniably impersonal. They have no reference to, nor do they depend upon, the attitudes of others toward us. Thus it is not surprising that our Leader has made them—patience and meekness—the first two foundation stones upon which to build a life expressing grace and Christliness.
The third essential quality Mrs. Eddy lists as love. It is well that she first calls our attention to the two completely impersonal qualities of patience and meekness, for it is oftentimes difficult for the human mind to comprehend and accept love except as it relates to relationships between certain individuals. And yet the Christian Scientist who studies his textbook understandingly knows that the love which comes from God, who is Love, "is no respecter of persons;" that it is universal in scope; that it is always available to the child of God without limit. Individually reflecting universal Love is the next step which gives color, joy, inspiration, and warmth to patience and to meekness. A Christian Scientist fortified by patience, meekness, and love is ready to do good deeds and nothing but good deeds!
The last of the four proofs of the presence of grace is "good deeds." Here we find the active, positive expression of expectant, persevering patience, refined by the true quality of meekness, and enriched, warmed, and purified by love. How simple our Leader has made it for us if we will but study these five terms thoughtfully and prayerfully enough to understand their meaning.
The habitual presence of grace in our thinking inevitably expresses itself in good deeds, and then our relations with our fellow man become uniformly harmonious. Whatever in the past has prevented us from working harmoniously and appreciatively with others; whatever has permitted us to emphasize unpleasant personal peculiarities in others or in ourselves; whatever has led us to be resentful or jealous of the responsibilities or opportunities of our fellow man must be overcome. Furthermore, whatever has kept us from expressing that meekness and gentleness without which complete and sincere co-operation is impossible; whatever has led us to express vanity or pride in position, possessions, or prerogative; whatever has tricked us into ugly gossip or unkind criticism, must be recognized and eliminated because it is certain that such thinking is not present by the grace of God. Let us so consecrate ourselves to gracious thinking that the unloving beliefs of personal sense will be denied admittance to our thoughts. Only consecrated, joyous, spiritual growth can ensure the presence of grace in all that we think and do.
It takes courage to be consistently gracious. A gracious spirit must at the same time be bold and meek— bold enough to express Truth, meek and gentle and self-effacing enough to hear the "still small voice." No one who has read the account of the Master during the last days before his crucifixion can question his boldness or his courage. Nor can anyone question his meekness as he placed duty to God before any personal consideration, and faced with quiet humility and complete confidence the taunts and insults and abuse of those who sought to break his spirit. He stood with Truth alone, and he was fearless and gracious in the face of provocations which were beyond the power of human endurance.
The faultless example of our Master and the gentle, unflinching courage of our beloved Leader may well inspire us to make our lives more loving and more gracious. To this end let us pray continuously and with deep sincerity
"Gracious Spirit, dwell with me:
I myself would gracious be,
And with words that help and heal
Would Thy life in mine reveal;
And with actions bold and meek
Christ's own gracious spirit speak."
Copyright, 1944, by The Christian Science Publishing: Society. One, Norway Street, Boston 15, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.
